Window for vehicles



. Juiy A1s. 1924.

5 v1,501,702 A. s. CAMPBELL WINDOW FOR VEHICLES VFiled June I4. 1919 3 Sheets-Sheet l July 1s. 1924, 1,501,702

' A. S. CAMPBELL wlNDw .FOR VEHICLES Filed June 14, 19191 3` Sheets-Sheet.l 3

July 15 1924-" A. s. CAMPBEL;

WINDOW FOR VEHICLES Filed June 14, 191-9 3 sheets-sheet 3 0 ward appearance of the frame.

Patented July 15, 1924a UN ITLED 4ALPHONSO- S. CAMPBELL, DFyWIEST PORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS.

mellow EUR .eppiica-aeeed ieee, ee :eee @042.195-

Tronll whom t may concern.:

lBe it known that hl, ALrHoNso S. CAMP- ;SELL, a citizen oftherUnitedfStates, residing at lvl/Test Medford, county ofMiddleseiz, and State of llassachusetts, haif'e'invented an improvement in vWindows for Vehicles, of which the following description, in' connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like characterson the drawings representing like parts.

` he invention to behereinafterdescribed relatesto windows andmore particnlarlyto vrindows for antomobiletops and this application is a continuationfin part of my application Serial Number 218,673, filed February 23, 1918, for automobile windows.

`Serious difliculties have heretofore been experienced in satisfactorily connecting windows to the ilexiblefabric of automobile tops. Recently it has been found desirable tonse a large,- thick, 4heavy glass, but the vibration. shocks and airpressure which automobile topsnecessarily experience are `liable to tear the heavy glass from the flexible fabric of the top. One of the purposes of the invention, therefore, is to provide a strong and simple frame constrnctionprovided with devices for securely connecting the glass tothe fabric. i

Opposed frames have been provided adapted to receive betweenY them the margin of the fabric surrounding the opening for the glass, and in` some instances these'frames have been connected by bolts, These bolts, however, have Iprojected through one or both ofthe opposed frames, so that the ends thereof are exposed, liable to catch on articles coming in contact therewith, are objcctionably visible, and disiigure the out- Another purpose of the invention. therefore, is to provide a window construction in which the bolts or securing devices for the frames are concealed from view within external covering frames which may havesmooth and uninterrupted outer surfaces presenting a pleasing finished appearance. .One of4 these covering frames may be so connected to another of the frames that it may be readily moved from covering relation thereto, and enable reach7 access to the bolts or .devices in assembling and separating.. the Iframes.

such vwindows experience.

Heret'ofore, insome'instances,theframes o for the glass havebeenusecured'ftqthefabric by a tongue Vlin one frame mating .wilthga groove iii 4the f other, the :construction bei-Iig such that when the frames are pressedwto'- u ard each other, the V'fabric is forced bythe tongue into'fthe groove. In so dii1ghofw ever, the fabric adjacent Nthel frames is puckered and wrinkled, thereby7 giving the fabric an objectionable, A unsightly appearance. Anotherpnrposefof the invention, therefore, isto provide opposedy frames with flat surfaces vof' substaritialfwidth cbetween which the margin of the-'fabrid'is pressed, the construction" beingsuch`k that 'the Y'fabric is maintained in flat, unwrinkled condition. ,c

As stated, it is ,desirable to employa thick, heavy glass, and preferablythe edge ofthe glass is beveled. ltis difficult accurat'elyfto bevel the edge of the glassthronghout, and as a consequence, frequently the bevelededge is vthicker'in ysome places than in others. VAnother purpose of the invention is to *provide a frame for thel glass which -will have a fiexibleinner marginal portion 'whihfmay lyield asthe screw' bolts `or securing devices are tightened to conform accurately to any variation in the thickness of the beveled edge of the glass. Y'

In wet weather the driving rain striking the glass is liable to leak or work between the glass and fabric or between the Y, frame and fabric into the interior ofv the top. *,Anotherfpurpose of the inventionl is to provide a frame construction which may be light but sufficiently stiff to grip the "glass,` and fabric so tightly as to prevent any possibility Lof leakage.

For economy of lmaterials and timeand labor in securingvv the frames together, it is desirable toemploymerely a screw bolts or securingmdevices ',whgich Vare entfed through the fabric and the frames engaging the opposite faces thereof, but the vibration, rack and shocks which the window receives are liable to tear the bolts or securing devices from the fabric or allow portions of the fabric between the bolts to be pulled froin the fraines and cause leakage and an unsightly appearance. Another purpose of the invention is to provide one of the frames with spurs or prongs between the bolts or securing devices, the construction being such that when the fabric engaging frances are drawn together, the spurs or prongs will penetrate the fabric and positively secure the same to the frames at the spaces between the points of location of the bolts or securing devices.

With the aforesaid and other objects in view, the character of the invent-ion may be best understood by reference to the following description of a good forni thereof shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure l is an elevation of a window einbodying the invention, a portion of one of the frames thereof being broken away to disclose parts back of the same, the view being talren from that side of the installation which is preferably7 located toward the inside of the car;

Y Fig. 2 on an enlarged scale is a transverse section talren on line 2-2 of Fig. l;

Fig, 3 on an enlarged scale is a transverse section taken on line 3-3 of Fig'. l;

Fig. Lf is a transverse sectional view of parts of the window nnassernbled',

Fig. 5 is another transverse sectional view of the parts unassernbled;

6 is a perspective view of ra detail to be referred to;

Fig. 7 is a face view of the glass receivingl frame;

Fig. 8 is a face view of one of the secur ing frames;

Fig. 9 is a face view of an external coi.- ering frame; and

Fig. l0 is a transverse section of a-inodified form of window construction.

1Referring to the drawings. the fabric for the top may be of any appropriate mate-- rial. but in the present instance of the iin rention it comprises an outer fabric l. and a lining or inner fabric 3. The windmv inajr have oval` circular or other shape d but in the present instance.` is shown of cir cular form.

.any suitable glass inay be provided for the window. but preferably a thiclr. heavy glass is employed having a beveled edife 7. A suitable frarne may be provided to re ceive the glass, and in the present instance. comprising an internal securing fraine 9 having an outstanding flange il for engage nient Ywith the peripheryT of the gl covering frame 13 may be provided securing fraine 9 and preferably is transversely curved and has a smooth uninterrupted outer surface. The inner edge of the covering frame 1? may project beyond the securing frame flange l1 and present a seat l5 for the beveled edge of the glass. securing frame 9 and the covering frame 13 may be formed of separate pieces or may be of integral construction, but in the present insta-nce, they are shown as made of separate pieces and are permanently connected by a lip 17 at the outer edge of the covering franie adapted to be bent inward so as to orerlie the outer edge porti-on of the securing frame, as will be noted in Figs. 2 to The construction is such .that the securing france may be introduced into the covering franie and then the lip may be bent over as described, thereby permanently to secure the two frames together.

llhile preferably the covering frames 9 and 13 are died and shaped from sheet The inetal as described, it will be readily undery stood that they might be formed of one solid piece of metal if desired.

To contribute to the production of a water-tight construction, a packing of cement 19 may be introduced in the space between the securing frame flange ll, the inner portion 1.9 the covering frame 13 and the beveled edge of the glass, thereby effectively preventing water froni creeping along the bev eled edge of the glass past the periphery of the glass.

The margin of the fabric surrounding an opening in the glass may be superposed on the securing` franie 9 and have a portion 21v overlying the margin of the glass. To press the margin of the fabric tightly against the securing franie 9 and the margin of the glass. an internal securing frame may be provided and formed to present an outfitanding curved lip or flange and an inner portion projecting inward from said curved lip or flange of a sufficient width to overlie the portion of the fabric which serves as a cushion for the glass.

Suitable devices may be provided for clamping the fabric securely between the securing frames 9 and 23. In the present inst-ance of the invention. these devices are in the forin of screws Q7 entered loosely through holes 29 (Fig. S) in the securfrarne '2d and threaded into holes (Fig. 7l in the securing frame 9. These screws also pass through holes in the margin of the fabric. The construction is such that when the screws are tightened they7 will cla-nip the fabric between the securing frames. frame 9 is died from sheet inetal as described. the threads on the screws may have a spacing equal to the ythickness of the sheet metal, thereby7 eliminating the necessity for tapping the holes for receiving the screws in the securing frame.

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monaca fit will=be noted thatrtheendsofthe screws project into the chamber `formed between the securing iframe i9 and `the covering frame l13, but do notsproject into or beyond the flatter. As fa consequence, the ends Lof said screws/are concealed from view.

.'Asstatechit isfdesirableto provide means between the screws furtherto. securethe fabric .to the securing frames. To accomplish thisin'the presentinstance of the invention, the securing frame123may be provided vwith spurs o11prongs-33f(Figs.z2, 4, 5 and) conveniently died therefrom, :and the securing frame Qzmay have'holes formed therein in opposition to the spurs or prongs and preferably somewhat larger than thesame. The construction is-suchthat when the lsecuring frames are `pressed against vthe opposite f-aces of the fabricf of the top, the spurs or prongs will vpenetrate the fabric and may enter-the holes 35,'as `will be noted in 2, thereby Ypositively connecting vthe fabric to the securing :frame at intervals between the screws, the. construction'being such that the fabric is effectively prevented from being pulled' outl of theframes. This positive connection of thefabric` to the securing frames is-accomplishe'd-incidentally to the presentation'of the securing frames to the fabric, and therefore, 'does not require any attention in assembling the frames.

Suitablelmeans may be provided vfor concealing tlieheads of the screws 27 vand the securing fra-me 23. lTo accomplish this, in the present insta-nce, an external covering frame 3T isprovided preferably transversely curved and lhavinga continuous uninterrupted surface. Suitable means maybe provided to enable this covering frame .to be moved relatively tofthe securing frame 23 and permit ready access to the screws 4when desired. vTo accomplishthis, in the=present instance,A the covering frame 37 is provided witliiacurved lip 39lwhich mayhavesuiii. cient yield Ior Y spring to enablel the .same to snap into interlocking engagement-with the curved'lip Q4 referredvto, of the securing frame 23. The inner edge of the external covering frame 37 may project beyond the inner-edgev of the fabric to cover and conceal the same. To facilitate movement of the covering frame 37 from covering relation with respect to the screws` the curvedA lip may have an interruption.leaving a space 4:1 (Figli) to admit a Suitable tool for prying or starting the coverfframe lip 39 from the securing frame lip 24.

It will be notedthat the margin kof the fabric is confined between flat faces oft-he securing frames of substantial'width, and thus Vthe fabric is maintained in smooth, un wrinkled condition throughout. The curved lipldesirably serves as a stiffening rib for the ou-terr edge-of thesecurifng frame 23, and the screws 27 are preferably located'closely adjacent t'o-this stiifening rib, the construction being such that the outer edge portion of the securing frame 23 is held in intimate relation with the fabric, therebypreventing any'possibility of water creeping in between the fabric and the rsecuring frames. The inner portion, however, of the securing frame QS'has sufficient flexion so that it may yield to conform to any variation in thickness of the beveled edge of the glass, and therefore, the inner portion of the securing member will press the inner edge portion of the vfabric intimately against the glass and prevent water from creeping along the flat face of the glass to the periphery of the glass.

By the construction described, simple and efficient-means is provided for positively securing the fabric to the frames and for securely holding the glass to the frames, and

the parts may be readily assembled and sepa Y Y rated as desired. In assembli the parts, the glassmaycbe presented to the securing frantic 9, and covering frame 13 with the edge of the glass resting against the iange il of the securing frame, and the beveled edge of the glass resting against-the edge seat l5 of the covering frame. Then the fabric may be superposed onthe glass and the securing frame 9, and the securing frame 23 may be superposed on the fabric. The screws 27 are next inserted through the securing frames and lfabric, thereby pressing the spurs or prongs 33 into the fabric and securelyfrconnecting the ,latter to` said frames. he securing frame 23'1nayfdesirably serve as a templet which may be engaged by a suitable cutting instrument accurately to cutthe .'pening in the fabric in conformity with the opening in the securing frame 23. Then the covering frame 37 may be presented to the securing frame 23 and pressed against the samev to causelthe lip 39 to snap into interlocking engagement with the lip 24e, and the assembly of the parts is complete.

If for reason it is desired to remove the; glass from the fabric, it is merely necessary to snap the cover frame 37 away from the securing frame 23, thereby exposing the h ,ads of the screws which may be released to allow separation of the securing frames.

lReferring to Fig. l0, the construction there shown is similar to the construction alf dv desciibed,r.fith the exception that the securingframe 43 and the covering frame t5 are welded together.` the securing frame is provided with a neck tapped to receive the screws and the curved lip 5l is not curvedaround to the same extent as the lip 24 described. Spring locking washers may be provided to secure the screws in the positions to which they are adjusted, although these washers are not indispensable.

.It will be understood that the invention isnnot limited to the specific embodiment i i, but that various deviations may be iliade therefron'i without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Vilhatis claimed is l. A window for vehicle tops, comprising, in combination, opposed securing iframes for receiving between them the margin surrounding an opening in the fabric of the top, securing means intermediate the edges of said securing frames at intervals to draw said frames toward each other and securely clamp the fabric margin between them, a ,Olass for said opening, and a pair of cover trames independent of and enclosing and concealing said securing means and super- "osed on said securing frames, one of said cover frames and one of said securing frames having means detachably to secure the two together.

Q. A window foi` vehicle tops comprising, in combination, opposed securing frames for receiving between them the margin surrounding an opening in the fabric of the top, holding elements to hold the frames together and clamp the. fabric between them, a glass for said opening, a cover frame independent of said holding elements and e-nclosing and concealing the ends thereof, and fastening means including cooperating marginal lips, one on said cover frame and the other on the frame adjacent said cover frame, at least one of said lips resilient for yieldable interlocking engagement with the other.

3. A window for vehicle tops, comprising, in combination, opposed securing frames for receiving between them the margin surrounding an opening in the fabric of the top, holding elements for said securing frames to securely clamp the fabric margin between said securing frames, a glass for said opening, and a cover frame concealing the ends of said holding elements and superposed on one of said securing frames, one of said se curing frames having an outstanding marginal lip, and the cover frame having an outstanding marginal lip, one of said lips being yieldable for interlocking engagement with the other.

4t. A window for vehicle tops, comprising, in combination, opposed internal securing frames for receiving between them the mar- 'in surrounding an opening in the fabric of the top, holding elements for securely clamping said margin between the internal frames, a glass for said openine', a pair of cover frames for covering the internal securing frames` one of said securing frames having a iiange projecting transversely to the plane of the body of said frame to engage the edge of the glass, and the cover frame covering the latter securing frame having an edge adjacent said flange to overlie and engage a face of the glass, one of said external covering frames and one of the internal securing frames having means detacbably to secure the same together.

5. A window for vehicle tops, comprising, in combination, opposed frames for receiving between them the margin surrounding an opening in the fabric of the top, securing elements co-operating with said frames to clamp the margin of the fabric securely between the said frames, a glass for said open-- ine, an external covering frame having an uninterrupted and non-perforated exterior surface, said external covering frame and one of the opposed frames having interlocking peripheral edges at least one of which is resilient adapted to detachably secure the same together.

6. A window for vehicle tops, comprising, in combination, a glass for an opening in the fabric of the top, a frame receiving the edge of the glass, a securing frame opposed to said frame which receives the edge of the glass and having a iiexible inner marginal portion overlapping the marginof the glass and yieldable to conform Ithereto and a stiffcning portion outside of the iiexible marA ginal portion, said frames being adapted to receive between them the margin of the fabric surrounding said opening, holding elen ments projecting through said securing frame and fabric and into the glass receiving frame to clamp the fabric securely between said frames, an external covering frame concealing ends of said holding elements, and means for securing the covering frame to the securing frame and permitting the covering frame to be moved from covering relation to the securing frame to expose the holding elements.

7. A window for vehicle tops, comprising, in combination, a glass forlan opening in the fabric of the top, a frame receiving the glass and adapted to be superposed on one side of the margin of the fabric surrounding said opening, a securing frame adapted to be superposed on the opposite side of the fabric and having a iiexible internal marginal portion overlapping the margin of the glass and yieldable to conform to the glass,

yscrews passing through both of said frames and penetrating the fabric to secure the fab ric between said frames, said screws being located a substantial distance from the inner edge of the securing frame to avoid interference with the flexion of the internal marginal portion thereof, an external covering frame for concealing the heads of the screws, said securing frame presenting an edge portion and said covering frame presenting a resilient peripheral portion for engagement with said edge portion to hold said covering frame in covering relation to the secur ing frame and permitting the covering frame to be moved from covering relation to the securing frame toeXpose the holding elements.

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8. A Windovv installation for vehicle tops comprising, in combination, a frame presenting a flat curtain engaging surface tor application to one side of the curtain, a second securing frame also having` a flat curtain engaging surface for application to the opposite side oic the curtain. clamping means intermediate the edges ot said ilat surfaces adapted to press said frames into gripping relation with said curtain, one of said frames presenting an edge seat for a glass and the other frame presenting a portion for engaging the glass adjacent its peripheral edge; a glass seated in said frames, and a cover frame removably secured to one ot said frames, said cover frame also pres-enting a glass engaging portion and adapted, upon removal, to afford access to said securing mea-ns.

9. A curtain Window installation comprisin combination, a securing frame having screw-receiving holes therethrough, a second securing frame made of sheet metal having a .plurality of openings therethrough registering with said holes. said securing frames lying on opposite sides of the curtain fabric, screws entered through said holes and threaded into the openings in said second securing Jframe, the metal about said openings being distorted ivhereby securely to engage the screvv threads, a cover associated'ivith said second securing traine 'for concealing the ends of the screws entered therethrough and the distorted portions about said openings.

l0. A Window for vehicle tops comprising, in combination, a glass tor an opening in the fabric of the top, a 'frame receiving the lglass and adapted to be superposed upon one side of the margin surrounding said opening` a securing frame adapted to be superposed at the opposite side of the fabric and providing an inner edge overlying the glass and an upstanding peripheral edge, securing means holding said frames together and penetrating the fabric between said frames, and an external covering frame ttor concealing said securing frame and said holding elements, said external covering frame presenting a peripheral resilient curved edge for engagement behind said upstanding peripheral portion of said securing frame.

1l. A curtain Window installation comprising, in combination, a frame portion for application to one side of the curtain, securingmeans for holding a glass in assembled relation to said frame portion, a cover portion for application to the opposite side of the curtain from said frame portion, and presenting an uninterrupted and unperforated outer surface the inner edge of which extends into adjacency to the glass and. the outer edge of Which extends into adjacency to the curtain, the portion of said cover intermediate said edgesextrending a substantial distance outvvardlyrfrom the plane of the fabric, and holding means for securing said cover portion in assembled relation to the other parts of the curtain installation, said holding' lmeans including resilient iange means surrounding the glass and adapted to engage a cooperating part also surrounding the glass. p

127A curtain Window installation coniprising, in combination, a securing frame having screw-receiving holes therethrough,`

13. A curtain Window frame including a I continuous glass-surrounding unit for application to one side offa curtain and glass, said unit comprising interior'a'nd exterior parts, the exterior part presenting a recessed interior, the interior part presenting a flange generally parallel tothe glass adapted to engage the curtainV and a second flange angled relative to said first :tlangev and having its free edge seated near the bottomf'of said recess, said parts held in assembled relation by an overlying ianged portion of the exterior part extending over one of said flanges.

14. A curtain Window frame including a continuous glass surrounding unit for application to one side of a curtain and glass, said unit comprising, an outer recessed part and an inner part seated in the recessed portion of said outer part, said inner part having a iange presenting a plane surface for engaging the curtain Wall and a second flange at an angle to said first iange, said second flange having its free edge seated on the interior of said recessed portion intermediate the edges of said outer part, and said inner part providing means for cooperation with a supplemental glass retaining unit.

l5. A curtain Window frame including a continuous glass-surrounding unit for application to one side of a curtain and glass, said unit comprising interior and exterior parts, the interior part providing a strut bearing against the interior of the exterior part, and said exterior part providing at one edge a glass-engaging portion and at the other edge a retaining flange overlying said interior part. Y

16. ln a curtain window frame construction, a unit adapted to be secured on the outside of the curtain comprising, a securing frame member having a flange adapted to contact with the surface of the curtain and an outstanding flange extending approximately at a right angle to said curtain engaging flange providing a seat for the marginal edge only of a glass inserted therein, a cover frame member on said securing frame member adapted to engage said glass whereby to hold it and retain it in seated relation within said outstanding flange, and means for securing said unit to the curtain.

17. A curtain window installation comprising, in combination, a securing frame presenting an abutting surface for the edge ot' a glass, a second securing frame presenting a glass retaining portion projecting bevond the inner edge of said first mentioned securing trame, a cover frame secured to said first mentioned frame and presenting a glass engaging portion cooperating with said glass retaining portion on the second mentioned securing frame whereby to hold the glass in seated relation, a glass in said frames, and means for securing said frames in gripping relation on said curtain.

18. A curtain window installation com prising, in combination, opposed frames for receiving between them the margin surrounding an opening in the curtain, securing means for clamping said frames securely to the curtain, a glass within the opening, a resilient covering trame for one of said opposed frames presenting means adapted to snap into engagement with an monroe edge portion of the frame whereby detachably to secure them in interlocked relation and to facilitate removal ot' the glass.

19. A curtain window installation comprising, in combination, a pair of opposed sheet metal frames secured to the marginal edge of the fabric adjacent the window opening, one of said frames presenting a portion overlapping the other and projecting inwardly toward the opening therein to provide a glass contacting surface, the other frame presenting an outstanding flange forming an abutting surface for the edge of the glass, means for securing said frames in gripping relation to the curtain, and a cover frame secured to said frame having the outstanding flange and concealing said securing means on one side of the curtain, said cover Jframe also presenting portion for engaging the glass whereby to hold it securely in seated relation.

20. A curtain window installation comprising, in combination, a pair of opposed frames secured in gripping relation to the curtain, one of said frames presenting an outstanding iange to provide an abutting surface for the edge of the glass, a glass seated in said frames, and a cover frame secured at one edge to said :trame having the outstanding Harige, said cover frame also engaging' said outstanding flange and presenting an inner marginal edge engaging said glass whereby7 to hold it in seated relation within said trames,

In testimony whereof, I have signed myl naine to this specification.

ALPHONSO S. CAMPBELL. 

